County employers project employment increase in 2015

MOSES LAKE - Several Grant County employers are expecting to add close to 200 jobs to the area over the course of the next year, according to the 2014 Wage and Benefit Survey recently released by the Grant County Economic Development Council.

Eleven of the 21 companies that participated in the survey reported they anticipate increasing employment during the next 12 months for a total of about 176 jobs. One employer also projected an increase in employment, but did not report the number of jobs they would add.

The 2014 Grant County Area Wage and Fringe Benefits Survey was sponsored by the EDC, and prepared by Dallas, Texas economic development consulting firm The Pathfinders. The report allows local businesses to compare the wages they pay, by position, to the average wages and benefits paid by reporting companies in the county, according to the EDC.

"This is easily the most requested report that we make available," said Allan Peterson, business development manager for the EDC in a statement. "Local companies utilize this data to gauge the marketplace and help them make decisions about compensation and benefits."

EDC also released the report in 2007 and 2011.

The 21 companies that participated in the most recent survey represent a total of 2,166 employees. The companies are from a variety of business sectors including manufacturing, distribution and food processing.

Nine of the companies have been in business in Grant County for more than 26 years, according to the data. In addition, 10 of the companies have more than 61 employees - three have more than 250.

Information was gathered via a printed survey form and email, and the consulting group was the only organization to see any of the raw data they used to create the report. Information from the companies, including their names, is held in confidence by the group.

In addition to the fact that jobs are expected to be added this coming year, the finalized report also highlighted the fact that employers have been adding jobs over the last year.

Six of the participating firms reported an increase in employment during the past 12 months, and two reported a decrease for a net of 161 jobs added, according to the report. Four companies reported increases over the past year as well, and one reported a decrease, but both did not report the actual number of jobs gained or lost.

"The local economy is continuing to grow and this report helps quantify that," said Peterson. "New businesses that bring new jobs to the area get a lot of media attention but this report shows that for this past year and the coming year our existing businesses are adding more than 300 jobs."

The wage and benefit survey also asked employers to report entry-level wages and average wages for each hourly job classification as well as annual salary figures for salaried workers.

The 2014 report contains information on wage and benefits for more than 125 hourly and salaried job positions. The total reported employment of 2,166 was comprised of 80 percent hourly workers and 20 percent salaried workers.

Seventy-seven percent of workers reported were male, while 23 percent were female, according to the report.

The average entry wage, the average entry pay by job title when all participating companies are considered, for a fork-lift operator for example is $11.58, according to the report. Five companies, representing 270 employees, provided data for this position.

In addition, the mean average wage, the average pay of all responding companies, for the position is $14.09.

The average entry wage for a general laborer is $12.04. The mean average wage is $13.12.

Seven companies provided data for this position, and they represent 262 employees, according to the report.

On the salaried side, three companies reported the annual average salary for their combined 18 chemists was $78,000. Six companies reported the average salary for their 30 department managers was $77,606.

According to the report, the total annual payroll for the 21 participating companies was more than $91 million. However, not all companies responded to that particular question, according to the report.

Employers also rated the local workforce - 67 percent of them indicated the skilled labor availability was "Fair" and 19 percent of them said it was "Good." Employers rated local community colleges (85 percent rating as "Good) and technical and trade schools (74 percent rating as "Good" in the survey as well.

To read the complete report, as well as past reports, go to www.grantedc.com/about/news/economic-reports.